The Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has announced a range of free suicide prevention training aimed at equipping individuals from across Humber and North Yorkshire with life-saving skills.
Launching in November 2023, this training programme equips participants with the knowledge to recognise signs of suicidal thoughts, engage in empathetic conversations, and connect individuals to local support services. It creates a supportive environment for skills development, benefiting both participants and the broader community.
Delivered by local mental health charity Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, this programme is tailor-made for professionals in various fields, such as:
- Barbers
- Tattoo artists
- Hairdressers
- Café and restaurant staff
- Fitness instructors
- Beauty therapists
- Nail technicians
- Those in similar occupations
Ryan Nicholls, Suicide Prevention Lead at Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said:
“The training has been commissioned to improve our communities’ awareness of suicide prevention. Our aim is to reduce the stigma attached to suicide and get people talking more, whilst making suicide prevention everybody’s responsibility. It will be great to have community businesses such as hairdressers, pubs and leisure centres engage in the training and we are looking forward to the positive impact it will have.”
Sam Bell, Director of Operations at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and North East Lincolnshire Mind, said:
“This free suicide prevention training programme is about encouraging everyone to be there for each other. Throughout the training, we will teach you how to spot when someone needs help and how to offer that help. This is our commitment to making mental health something we can all talk about and support. We’re here to create a brighter and more caring future for everyone.”
The sessions will blend delivered content, impactful videos featuring lived experiences, and practical scenario discussions tailored to various working environments. By addressing common barriers such as uncertainty in approaching the topic and what to do if faced with a positive response, the training aims to boost participants’ confidence to apply these skills in their workplaces and communities.
Offering in-person and online options, the training sessions are thoughtfully scheduled to accommodate diverse work schedules, including evening sessions. Those who complete the free training will receive a certificate, informative literature, business cards with local and national support contacts, a poster, and a window sticker to display at their premises. Follow-up support sessions will also be offered in February and March 2024.
To learn more about the free training on offer, please visit www.heymind.org.uk/SPTraining